Sand storage tank equipment



Oct. 4, 1955 c. F. BLEDSOE 2,719,653

SAND STORAGE TANK EQUIPMENT Filed March 2, 1950 v 2 Sheets-Sheet l [I 53 91 T i 3/ MR /B farilflleairoe -Jl ATTORNEY Oct. 4, 1955 F. BLEDSOE 2,719,653

SAND STORAGE TANK EQUIPMENT Filed March 2, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR A i 001% Z'filedsae BY %W flaw ATTORNEY United States Patent ice SAND -"STO RAGE TANK EQUIPMENT Carl Bledsoe, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Ogle Construction Co., Chicago, Ill.

Application March 2,1950, Serial No; 147,203 7 Claims; (Cl. 222185) The inventionrelates to sand storage equipment, and more particularly to a system-of counterbalanced pipes or conduits connected to an overhead sand-storage tank and designed to deliver drysand from the tank to Diesel locomotive sand boxes.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of my invention I utilize at least two adjustable spout systems or assemblies in connection with a single sand storage tank,.preferably located between a pair of railroad tracks, one spout. system being. adapted to service locomotives on one side of the sorage tank or bin-and the other being adapted 'to service locomotives on the other side of-the sand storage tank or bin. Each of the spout systems is adapted to be swung to an operative position for servicing locomotives, or to an inoperative position out of the way of trains passing along the tracks. Preferably I utilize two different types of adjustable spout systems, 1

each. especially adapted for servicing a particular type of locomotive, one being intended for servicing switcher locomotives and being adapted to be swung about a vertical pivot through a'90 angle frornan operative position transverse to the trackway to an inoperative position parallel to the trackway, and vice versa, and the other being adapted for servicingroad locomotives having sand boxes on opposite sides of the locomotive, and being adapted to be swung in a vertical plane only from operative to inoperative position. These two types of systems may be referred to as. 1) side swinging pivoted spout type, and (2) the vertically swinging or raising and lowering hinged spout type, respectively. Both types may be employed on one side or on both sides of the tank if desired.

Preferably, in connection with the first type I provide means for permitting vertical adjustment through a limited are to accommodate various diesel switching locomotives, which means may be similar to that employedin the second type of spout system for permitting vertical adjustment through a greater'arc for the purpose of raising the spout system out of clearance dimensions when not in use. With the second type of spout system there is preferably employed a subsidiary hanging spout which is adapted to service sand boxes on one side of the locomotive while the vertically swinging spout system is adapted for servicing sand boxes on the other side of the locomotive.

The first or side swinging pivoted spout type consists of a swivel joint, which is sand tight and equipped with a weather-shield hood to exclude rain and moisture, and a hinged joint, vwhich employs a flexible hose to carry the sand flow, and aside hinge bars to provide lateral stiffness and support the spouts weight. To elevate the nozzle end of this spout to accommodate the various diesel switcher locomotives I employ a brace rod consisting of a pipe clamped to the tube near the lower end, yet hinged to allow movement in the same plane as the tube. The opposite end of this'brace rod is hinged in the same manner and fastened to a sliding sleeve on a vertically pivoted shaft; A cable is connected to the slid- 2,719,653 Patented Oct- 4,. 1 95.5

ing sleeve; which passes over a sheave andthe. opposite end-is. fastened to. acounterweight. The counterweight s'l-ides-verticallyon twoguide rods, which prevent-. the counterweight from twisting or fouling the structure bracings By pulling downward, or raising upwardon the spout hose, any desired height, within reasonable limitations may be.obta ined. The entire spout assembly can beretired laterally by means ofa. lever at the lower end ofthevertical pivot shaft.- This lever. is. clamped to the =lower end of the shaft, and is alsov hinged vertically to allow it to drop downward out'of the way after the spout has :been turned to a sanding position. When the spout is retired the lever catches in a safety latch and. holds the spout out of clearance.

The! second or raising-lowering spout typeof system, together with a hanging spout, are intended forsanding road locomotives. whosesand boxes are usually. on..op.- positesides of the locomotive body. Two boxes may be sanded simultaneously at one spotting of the locomotive. The vertically adjustable spout hinges at the towerend inth'e same-manner as described-for the pivoted spout, and a cable is fastened'near the outer'end which passes over a sheave and is connected to a counterweight. The counterweight slides vertically on two guide rods which prevent the counterweight from twisting or fouling, .also the counterweight would be kept from falling: in case of a-cable failure by'these. guide rods.. When retired. up,- ward the spout is above. required vertical clearance, and yet the overall height ofthe structure is greatly. reduced as compared. to a fixed piping arrangement.

Theinvention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings. and the followingdetailed description in which a specific embodiment of the invention is set forth by way of illustration rather thanby way of limitation.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is an elevation showing thestorage tank and related equipment with the spout systems shown in operativeposition and looking in adirection parallel to a pair of railroad tracks between which the system is mounted; 4

Fig. 2 is an elevation taken vata angle from that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig.v 3. is a fragmentary view on a larger scale. than Figs. .1 and 2 showing a portionof'the connections leading from the lower portion of the storage tank; the figure being taken in the same position as Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing a portion ofth'e'spout rotating lever and latching mechanism therefor shown on alarg'er scale than Fig. 2;

Fig. S' is a detail view on a larger scale than Fig, 1

showing the attachment of the counterbalancing means to the brace rod adjacent the vertically sliding sleeve;

Fig. 6 is a. detail showing the reduction connection between. the r'igidand flexible pipes of the hanging spout system; and I Y .Fig. 2 is a detail plan view on a larger scale than Figs. 1 and '2 showing the flexible connection between the upper end of the rigid pipe of the pivoted spout system and the Y-fitting above the flexible hose. 7

Referring generally'to the drawings, A denotes the masonary base of a towermounted'between a pairof railway tracks indicated at B, B, upon which. base is erected'a suitable framework C supporting at its upper portion a suitable storage tank or bin D for dry sand adapted to be delivered through a suitable system of conduits E, E and E to the individual sand boxes of dieselllocomotives upon the tracks B, B. As shown, thespout system E is adapted'to be swung about. a vertical pivot into and out of servicing positions, and is also adapted to be adjusted in a vertical plane, while spout system E is adapted to be swung up and down in a vertical plane only, and the hanging spout system E is adapted to coact with the spout system E in simultaneously servicing sand boxes on opposite sides of a single locomotive.

Referring first to the spout system B, this is provided at its upper end with a Y branch fitting mounted upon a vertical rotatable pipe or shaft 100 having a bearing 101 at its lower end permitting rotation in a lateral bracket member 102 projecting from the lower portion of the tower frame C. The Y-fitting is adapted to swing about a vertical axis passing through the rod or pipe 100 and through one of the legs of the fitting 10, while the otherleg of the fitting to which the spouting is connected extends outwardly at approximately a 45 angle. The Y-fitting 19 is connected at its upper end through a swivel connection 11 with a valved pipe 12 leading from the bottom of the tank D and equipped with a suitable stop cock 13 for controlling the flow of sand adjacent the tank. A suitable downwardly inclined shield 14 is provided above the swivel joint to protect the same from the weather. The principal length of the spout E comprises a tube 15 which may be of metal or other suitable rigid material and which normally extends outwardly at approximately a 45 angle, but which may be raised or lowered through a limited angle, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

To permit the spout system to be swung up and down in a vertical plane a length of flexible tubing or hose 16 of any suitable type may be interposed between the rigid length 15 and the outwardly extending arm of the Y-fitting 10. The hose length 16 may be provided at its ends with suitable nipples 17 and clamping means are provided for securing the nipples in place.

In order to provide lateral stiffness while still permitting adjustment of the spout system B in a vertical plane I preferably employ suitable bracing means extending on opposite sides of the flexible hose, and secure their ends to the rigid portions of the system. As shown, I provide on each side of the flexible pipe a pair of metal straps or side bars or arms 18, 18 hinged together at 19 and secured at their ends to the rigid portions of the conduit system. Preferably the straps are of metal and are secured by welding to metal portions of the conduit system. The hinges 19 may be somewhat stiff so as to prevent collapsing while permitting vertical adjustment as desired. Suitable means (not shown) may be provided if desired for adjusting the stiifness of the hinge.

Suitable means are preferably provided for balancing and for raising and lowering the spout system. As shown, I provide a brace rod 20 having a sleeve or collar 21 which is clamped to the discharge tube 15 near its lower end and hinged to the rod 20 at 22. The opposite end of the rod 29 is provided with a sleeve or collar 23 hinged to the brace rod 29 at 24. The sleeve 23 is slidable on the vertical post 100 which carries the swiveled Y member 10 at its upper end.

Suitable means coacting with the raising and lowering means are preferably provided for counterbalancing the weight of the spout system. As shown, a cable 25 is connected at its lower end to the sliding sleeve 23, which cable passes over a sheave or pulley 26 supported from the tower frame. It will be noted that the pulley is supported substantially at the same level as the flexible portion 16 of the spout system. The opposite end of the cable 25 is secured to a counterweight 27 which slides vertically on two guide rods 28, 28, carried by the tower frame thereby preventing the counterweight from twisting or fouling the tower frame.

At the lower end of the rigid tube 15 a spout hose 29 may be attached through a suitable coupling 30, and at the lower end of the hose 29 there may be provided a combined delivery nozzle and automatic cut-ofi valve 31 which may be of the type disclosed in an application of Carl L. Blcdsoe, Serial No. 768,369, filed August 13,

1947, now Patent No. 2,610,780, dated August 14, 1952.

By pulling downward or raising upward on the hose 29 the spout system may be brought to the adjusted height required to accommodate the locomotive being serviced. The spout system B is particularly adapted for servicing switcher locomotives.

The spout system E is shown in its servicing position in Fig. l, in which position it extends laterally over the trackway being serviced, and in' Fig. 2 is shown in the retired or inoperative position in which the spout system has been swung through an arc of from the position shown in Fig. l to a position in which the plane of the spout system is substantially parallel with the railway and is out of the way of passing trains. The entire spot assembly B may be retired laterally by means of a lever 32 which is adapted to be clamped to the lower end of the pivot shaft through a clamping bracket 33, to which bracket the lever is pivoted at 34 whereby the lever 32 may be swung downwardly to the vertical position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l, in which the lever is out of the way when the spout has been turned to the sanding position. When the spout is moved to the retired or inoperative position shown in Fig. 2 the lever 32 is adapted to engage with a safety latch 35 carried by the tower frame, which latch holds the spout assembly out of the way of traffic passing along the railroad track.

The second or raising and lowering type of spout sys tem E, together with the supplemental vertically suspended spout system E is adapted for sanding road locomotives which are generally equipped witha pair of sand boxes on opposite sides of the locomotive body.

With the present equipment two boxes may be sanded simultaneously at one spotting of the locomotive.

As shown in Fig. 1 the spout assembly E is hingedly connected through a flexible tube 70 to one leg of a Y-tube 50 at its lower end in the same manner that'the spout system B is connected to the Y-fitting 10, but in the present instance the Y-fitting 50 is not rotatable and the hanging spout system E is suspended from the vertical leg of the Y-fitting 50, whereas in the spout system B the vertical leg of the Y-fitting 10 is mounted on the rotatable vertical rod or pipe 100.

As shown, the weight of the spout system E is counterbalanced by attaching one end of a cable 51 near the lower end of a rigid length of pipe 52 constituting the principal portion of the spout system E. The cable 51' passes over a pulley or sheave 53 mounted on the sand tower frame at a point above the top of the storage tank D. The opposite end of the cable 51 is connected to a counterweight 54 which slides vertically on a pair ofguide rods 55 carried by the tank tower frame. Similar guide rods 55 are preferably provided on the other side of the tower to permit the installation of a second spout system on that side similar to the spout system E. if desired, a spout system (not shown) similar to the spout system E may be mounted onthe same side of the tank with the spout system E. At the bottom of the guide rods 55 there is provided a stop 56 which limits the fall of the counterweight 54 in the event of breakage of the cable. A suitable hose 57 is preferably connected at the lower end of the rigid pipe length 52 i of the spout system E terminating in a nozzle 58 similar to nozzle 31 at the end of spout system E.

The vertically hanging spout system B includes a' rigid length of pipe 59 connected to the vertical leg of the Y-fitting 56 and a hose section 60 secured thereto through a suitable reducing connection. At the lower end of the.

hose 60 there may be provided. a nozzle 61 similar to the terminal nozzles of spout systems E and E. Preferably, the hose 60 is of substantially greater length than the rigid pipe portion 59 so as to permit the nozzle 61 to be swung to operative position for servicing one of the sand boxes of the locomotive standing on the track B. When not in use the spout system'E hangs verti cally close to the sand tower and is out of the way of passing traffic. When the spout system E is not in use it is simply raised to the retired position indicated in dotted lines where it is entirely out of the way of passing traffic and is supported in such position by the counterweight 54 assisted by the stiffness of the hinges of the side arms or braces located on opposite sides of the upper flexible hose portion 70 of the spout assembly E.

The invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, but it will be obvious that numerous modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Sand storage tank equipment comprising an elevated tank, an outlet pipe leading from the bottom of the tank, a pipe fitting secured to the outlet pipe having a rigid inclined arm extending downwardly and outwardly with reference to said outlet pipe, a flexible hose connected to said inclined arm, a discharge tube including an elongated rigid pipe length secured to the flexible hose, means for imparting lateral stiffness to the flexible tube including a pair of hingedly connected side bars having their opposite ends secured to said inclined arm and to said rigid pipe length respectively, said inclined arm forming part of a Y-fitting pivotally connected at its upper end to the outlet pipe from said storage tank, an elongated vertical shaft rotatably supporting the Y- fitting at its lower end, and a brace rod for said discharge tube clamped at one end to said rigid portion of said tube and slidingly connected at its other end to the vertical shaft on which the rotatable Y-member is carried.

2. Sand storage tank equipment comprising an elevated tank, an outlet pipe leading from the bottom of the tank, a pipe fitting secured to the outlet pipe having a rigid inclined arm extending downwardly and outwardly with reference to said outlet pipe, a flexible hose connected to said inclined arm, a discharge tube including an elongated rigid pipe length secured to the flexible hose, means for imparting lateral stiffness to the flexible tube including a pair of hingedly connected side bars having their opposite ends secured to said inclined arm and to said rigid pipe length respectively, said inclined arm forming part of a Y-fitting pivotally connected at its upper end to the outlet pipe from said storage tank, an elongated vertical shaft rotatably supporting the Y-fitting at its lower end, a brace rod for said discharge tube clamped at one end to said rigid portion of said tube and slidingly connected at its other end to the vertical shaft on which the rotatable Y-member is carried, and means for counterbalancing the weight of said discharge tube.

3. Storage tank equipment for use in supplying fluent material by gravity from an overhead storage tank to a locomotive standing on a trackway below the storage tank, comprising in combination an elevated storage tank for fluent material, an outlet from the bottom of the tank, a pipe fitting rotatably connected to said outlet, a vertical support for said fitting arranged in axial alignment with the outlet, said fitting having a hollow inclined leg communicating with said outlet, a downwardly directed discharge pipe hingedly connected to said inclined leg to permit vertical adjustment, and an adjustable brace rod connected at one end to the discharge pipe and slidably connected to the vertical support at its other end.

4. Storage tank equipment for use in supplying fluent material by gravity from an overhead storage tank to a locomotive standing on a trackway below the storage tank, comprising in combination an elevated tank for fluent material, a fixed vertical outlet pipe leading from the bottom of the tank, a Y-fitting depending from the fixed pipe and rotatably connected thereto to permit swinging movement about a vertical axis, an elongated vertical pivot member supporting said Y-fltting, a hollow inclined leg diverging from the vertical pipe, a downwardly directed discharge pipe hingedly connected to the diverging leg to permit limited up and down swinging movement in a vertical plane, and a brace member connected to said discharge member at one end and slidably engaging the vertical pivot member at the other end.

5. Storage tank equipment for use in supplying fluent material by gravity from an overhead storage tank to a locomotive standing on a trackway below the storage tank, comprising in combination, an elevated tank for fluent material, a fixed vertical outlet pipe leading from the bottom of the tank, a control valve in said pipe, a Y- fitting depending from the fixed pipe and rotatably connected thereto to permit swinging movement about a vertical axis, a downwardly inclined shield carried by said fixed pipe just above the rotatable connection with the Y-fitting, an elongated vertical pivot member supporting said Y-fitting, a hollow inclined leg diverging from the vertical pipe, and a downwardly directed discharge pipe hingedly and detachably connected to the diverging leg permitting up and down swinging movement in a vertical plane, and means limiting said vertical swinging movement.

6. Storage tank equipment for use in supplying fluent material by gravity from an overhead storage tank to a locomotive standing on a trackway below the storage tank, comprising in combination, an elevated storage tank for fluent material, a fixed outlet pipe leading from the bottom of the tank, a control valve in said fixed pipe, a unitary Y-fitting rotatably and detachably connected to said fixed outlet pipe, a vertical support for said fitting arranged in axial alignment with the outlet, said fitting having a hollow inclined leg communicating with said outlet, and a downwardly directed discharge pipe hingedly and detachably connected to said inclined leg to permit vertical adjustment.

7. Storage tank equipment for use in supplying fluent material by gravity from an overhead storage tank to a locomotive standing on a trackway, comprising in combination, an elevated tank for fluent material having an outlet in the bottom thereof, a vertical support for said tank, a unitary Y-fitting' detachably connected to and communicating with the outlet and located wholly beneath the tank, said fitting comprising a hollow vertical leg portion having its axis parallel to the tank support, a second hollow leg diverging from the vertical leg, and a downwardly directed discharge pipe detachably connected to the diverging leg, said vertical leg being connected at the bottom thereof with an elongated vertical member having its axis parallel to the axis of the tank support, the Y- fitting being rotatably connected to the tank outlet, and the vertical leg being mounted on a vertical rod rotatable in bearings carried by the tank support, thus permitting rotation of the vertical rod together with the Y-fitting and attachments carried thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 12,898 White Dec. 15, 1908 534,988 Arner Mar. 5, 1895 753,283 Mather Mar. 1, 1904 1,022,042 Muller Apr. 2, 1912 1,586,465 Perdue May 25, 1926 1,640,417 Marks Aug. 30, 1927 1,644,972 Zeitter Oct. 11, 1927 1,773,484 Marks Aug. 19, 1930 2,323,419 Plant July 6, 1943 2,561,148 Snow July 17, 1951 

